Sen. Anne Watson

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House concurrent resolution that formally congratulates the 2022 Montpelier High School Division III championship field hockey team. It recognizes the team's achievement of winning the state championship and earning a 13-4 season record, highlighting the players and coaches who contributed to their success. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Montpelier High School as an official record of the General Assembly's acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to gradually implement Green Mountain Care, Vermont's publicly financed health care program, over a ten-year period starting with primary care in the first year and adding preventive dental and vision services in the second year. It establishes an advisory group within the Green Mountain Care Board to recommend how to sequence and finance additional health services for years three through ten, aiming for comprehensive coverage by the tenth year. The legislation requires the state to seek federal waivers to modify existing health insurance rules and mandates detailed financial analysis to ensure the program is economically sustainable and reduces overall health care spending. It also directs the Green Mountain Care Board to consider cost-sharing options and ensures health care professionals receive adequate reimbursement to recruit and retain staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program in Vermont that would provide paid, job-protected leave to employees and self-employed individuals for specific reasons including serious illness, childbirth, adoption, military family needs, and domestic or sexual violence situations. The program would be administered by the Office of the Treasurer and would allow workers to take time off to care for themselves or family members facing health issues, or to seek medical care, counseling, or safe housing after experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Eligible workers would need to meet certain work history requirements and pay contributions to fund the benefits, with leave defined as "safe leave" specifically for victims of abuse to access services, recover from injuries, or relocate to secure safe environments. The legislation also expands the definition of family members to include individuals with significant personal bonds regardless of biological or legal relationships, ensuring broader coverage for diverse family structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Vermont school districts that do not operate their own elementary or high schools to designate eligible public or independent schools to serve as the district's public schools. It allows these districts to pay tuition to designated schools for their students, with specific criteria for which independent schools qualify, such as being recognized regional centers or having historical public school status. The legislation also removes the definition and approval process for independent schools while keeping the enrollment process for recognized independent schools intact. Additionally, it creates a new definition for therapeutic schools and updates special education tuition provisions. The changes apply to school districts and their students, with oversight and reimbursement rules for tuition payments between districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans and Vermont Medicaid to cover specific fertility-related services for all insured individuals and Medicaid beneficiaries. It mandates coverage for fertility diagnostic care, intrauterine insemination, at least three rounds of in vitro fertilization with donor or partner gametes, and clinically appropriate fertility medications. The legislation also prohibits insurers from imposing higher costs or restrictions based on the use of donor materials or surrogacy, while excluding experimental procedures and nonmedical donor costs. Additionally, the bill directs the state to seek federal approval to expand Medicaid coverage for these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies to install renewable heating systems and non-fossil fuel cooking appliances when replacing existing equipment in buildings they own or control. It applies to the Department of Buildings and General Services, the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, and the Agency of Transportation, mandating that new primary heating and cooking systems use non-fossil fuel sources starting in fiscal year 2024. Agencies may request written exemptions if installing renewable systems is deemed financially impracticable, and they must report any exemptions or continued use of fossil fuel systems to legislative committees annually. The legislation also permits fossil fuel systems to serve as backup heating during peak periods if non-fossil fuel backup options are unavailable.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants Vermont municipalities the authority to create local rules that limit or reduce firearm discharges, with the exception of existing sport shooting ranges. The law allows towns, cities, and villages to regulate firearm use for public safety but explicitly forbids them from banning shooting at established ranges. Municipalities must ensure any new ordinances align with state regulations and cannot prohibit firearm discharges at current sport shooting facilities. The changes take effect on July 1, 2023, giving local governments new regulatory tools over firearm discharge while protecting designated shooting ranges.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Genetic Information Privacy Act to protect consumers' genetic data and biological samples collected by direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies. It requires these companies to obtain clear, separate consent for each specific use of genetic information, including sharing data for research, marketing, or transferring to third parties. The law also mandates strong security measures, gives consumers the right to access or delete their data and biological samples, and prohibits companies from sharing genetic information with health insurers, life insurers, or employers without written consent. Companies violating these rules would face penalties under Vermont's unfair and deceptive trade practices law, while data already covered by federal health privacy regulations remains unaffected.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires manufacturers of household products containing hazardous substances in Vermont to join a stewardship organization and fund a program for collecting these products from the public at no cost. The legislation defines covered products as items like gas cylinders, certain pesticides, and hazardous waste-containing consumer goods, while excluding batteries, lamps, paints, and other specified items. Manufacturers would be responsible for implementing collection plans to divert these products from landfills, reducing environmental contamination and lowering the financial burden currently placed on local waste management entities and taxpayers. The bill applies to companies that manufacture, sell, or import these products in Vermont, with exemptions for small-scale producers selling less than $5,000 worth of covered products annually.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates January 23-27, 2023, as the first annual Holocaust Education Week in Vermont. It directly affects Vermont schools and educational institutions by establishing a formal period for Holocaust education activities. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to the Vermont Holocaust Memorial and the Agency of Education to facilitate the event. This commemorative measure recognizes the historical significance of the Holocaust and aims to increase awareness through organized educational programming during the designated week.